Gold Coast Suns "hybrid" defender Joel Jeffrey has emerged as a pivotal cog in the club's defensive unit, which was inspired by a tough conversation with coach Damien Hardwick.
Jeffrey featured in all 25 matches last year for the Suns, including the breakthrough pair of finals in September.
But it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows for the Darwin product, who found himself out of place in the years preceding 2025.
Jeffrey tallied 28 games in four seasons, playing across every line but struggling to lock in a role under Stuart Dew, then Hardwick.
But a rejig in his off-season program when he returned home to Darwin was the catalyst for the seismic career shift.
"My first couple of years, off-season was the biggest one for me," Jeffrey told Zero Hanger.
"Going back (to Darwin) and making sure I do the program right. I felt like last year's off-season, it finally clicked. It's all a learning experience that comes with that.
"I had a good chat with high-performance coaches and Dimma himself. I sat down with him, and he said, 'I know you're good enough. I know you're talented enough. We just need you to take your training to another level, especially when you go back home to Darwin.
"I did do that last year, and it set me up for a really good year."
Jeffrey's skill set largely revolves around his elite kicking ability, but Hardwick demanded more, and when Charlie Ballard went down with an ACL in Round 1 last year, a role in defence became vacant.
"Obviously, being a hybrid (defender), he wanted me to compete more," he added.
"He said to me, 'You're good with the footy, it's just when you don't have the footy, just compete with the big boys or smaller bodies because hybrids got to play tall and small.
"Mainly that competitive side and competing."
As for Ballard, he is nearing a return to the team and could be considered for selection early in the upcoming season, creating competition for spots.
"It's going to be interesting," Jeffrey said on the back-line configuration.
"It's a waiting game. He's tracking very well. He's a good player for this footy club and the competition, so obviously I got to work my butt off and see what happens."
After getting a taste of finals football, the Suns are adamant about taking it further in 2026.
Training levels have gone up, while the doubling down on a Hardwick game plan and system has been embedded further into the players.
"We're looking at taking it to another level," Jeffrey said.
"The last three or four weeks of training (before Christmas) have been unreal. It's been next level compared to last year. Everyone got on board with the game plan. A lot of boys are doing selfless running, but that helps the team succeed.
"Since Dimma has come in, I reckon the first year was just learning the game plan. It's always pretty tough learning a new game plan. I felt like last year, we adjusted well from (2024), and making finals for the first time was unreal.
"All the boys are pumped for this year because we want to do it again, and take it a step further and go all the way."
For the third consecutive season, Gold Coast will kick off their campaign with an Opening Round clash, this time hosting Geelong at People First Stadium on Friday, March 6.
